Seven Stages Shakespeare Company to Present LEAR. This Fall

"Pray you now, forget and forgive." These lines spoken by the title character in William Shakespeare's King Lear hold even more meaning in Seven Stages Shakespeare Company's (7SSC) production billed simply as LEAR., opening at the Millspace in Newmarket, NH on November 3rd and running through November 12th.

LEAR. is an exploration of one of Shakespeare's most daunting and famous texts, King Lear, combining the stylistic expression of the internationally renowned company Passion in Practice, New York Shakespeare Company and the "'...gritty, dirt on your knees Shakespeare' approach you've come to know and love from Seven Stages Shakespeare Company," says Christine Penney, Co-Founder and Producing Director.

The company will explore the play through the lens of Alzheimer's Disease, and hopes to drive a dialogue about memory and legacy on a personal, communal and global level. Dan Beaulieu, 7SSC Co-Founder and Artistic Director, directs the production.

"What is identity based in when you strip everything else away? How do we identify inside all of our social and familial circles? How do we identify inside of ourselves?" says Beaulieu, sharing deeper insight into the questions explored in the production. Beaulieu says the company will strip the space to its bare bones as they explore one of Shakespeare's most daunting and famous texts. "This is the story of a family dealing with what they are all capable of in the face of inevitable loss, and the power and beauty of forgiveness in those trying times."

The fourteen person acting ensemble will be led by Deb Kinghorn in the title role, with a cast of talent hailing from areas such as New York City, Portland, ME, Seattle, WA, Boston, MA, and the Seacoast, to name a few.

Creating programming that is artistically, physically, and fiscally accessible for all is at the heart of Seven Stages Shakespeare Company's mission. Productions are brought to life through generous underwriting from sponsors and donors. This "FREE FOR ALL, Or Pay What You Will" production is made possible with support from: Kennebunk Savings; Strawberry Banke Museum; Bellamy Fields & Watson Fields; and The Woodland Group, LLC., as well as from Travel Partner C&J Bus Lines, and Season Sponsors: Faith Harrington & Peter Lamb through the Maine Community Foundation; Art-Speak; DTC Lawyers: Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella; and Eric D. Dufour, MBA, CFP of SagePoint Financial.

LEAR. is part of 7SSC's Shakespeare 400 Season, as the company participates in a worldwide initiative celebrating Shakespeare's legacy on this 400th anniversary of his passing. 7SSC recently closed the American-originated premiere of Being Shakespeare by Jonathan Bate, presented in collaboration with ACT ONE at West End Studio Theater in Portsmouth. And the company has already offered a number of unique opportunities to celebrate the Bard this year, such as: having April 23rd officially declared "Shakespeare Day" by the City of Portsmouth with a public proclamation made by City Council member Chris Dwyer in Market Square; an epic undertaking of eight history plays in one day called Messenger Day which took place over 13 hours at Throwback Brewery this past June, complete with specially brewed ShakesBEERs for the event; and the return of their monthly ShakesBEERience play reading series for its fifth season at The Press Room.

LEAR. at Millspace: A Center for Art, History & Culture, plays on: Thurs, Nov 3 and 10; Fri, Nov 4 and 11; and Sat, Nov 5 and 12, all at 7:30 PM. Tickets are FREE FOR ALL, Or Pay What You Will and must be reserved at www.7stagesshakespeare.org.

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